D R M T R AV E L A N D L E I S U R E
A PUSHCHAIR FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS CHANGING THE LIVES OF DISABLED PARENTS Working with the disabled community, Designability’s newest project is user-led, making life more independent for disabled parents.
products commercially available for a wheelchair-attachable pushchair, as it is deemed unviable for manufacturers and retailers. Disabled parents have spoken about the emotional impact of being reliant on others to go out with their baby or toddler. As we face the long-term consequences from the pandemic of increased isolation and mental health challenges, providing a solution that gives disabled parents independence to go out with their baby and toddler has never been more critical. Designability’s research suggests that over 16,000 disabled parents every year could benefit. The charity will make the product available through a free loan scheme which they hope to launch by early 2023, so that disabled parents can benefit regardless of their personal financial situation. With a fully-working prototype, the project team have undertaken user
DESIGNABILITY is a national charity perhaps best-known for its iconic red Wizzybug – a powered wheelchair provided free of charge to young disabled children throughout the UK. Through the free Wizzybug Loan Scheme Designability has helped over 1,000 children and their families, providing opportunities for independence, exploration and adventure from a very young age. Inspired by the successful loan scheme model, the charity is looking to expand its support in the realm of family mobility – a wheelchairattachable pushchair. The ‘Pushchair for Wheelchair Users’ project, will see the creation of a pushchair which can be easily attached to a manual wheelchair, providing opportunities for independence for the estimated 16,000+ disabled parents who could benefit.
The need Parents who use manual wheelchairs have very few options when it comes to taking their children out and about independently. Whilst some use slings or other carriers, parents report that these are often uncomfortable and don’t feel safe. Yet there are no
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